The Braves 25...For Now

A few suprises on the Atlanta Braves 25 man roster for Opening Day...

1. Smoltz (SP)
2. Hudson (SP)
3. James (SP)
4. Redman (SP)
5. Cormier (SP)
6. McBride (RP)
7. Gonzalez (RP)
8. Villareal (RP)
9. Yates (RP)
10. Soriano (RP)
11. Paronto (RP)
12. Wickman (RP)
13. McCann (C)
14. Pena (C)
15. A. Jones (OF)
16. Francoeur (OF)
17. Langerhans (OF)
18. Diaz (OF)
19. C. Jones (3B)
20. Renteria (SS)
21. Thorman (1B/OF)
22. Wilson (1B/OF)
23. Johnson (2B)
24. Woodward (2B/3B)
25. Orr (2B/3B)

Out in the Cold:

1. Aybar (2B/3B) [DL]
2. Hampton (SP) [DL]
3. Escobar (SS)
4. Prado (2B)
5. Harris (OF)
6. Davies (SP)
7. Carlyle (SP/RP)
8. Colyer (RP)

The biggest suprise has to be that the once Golden Child, Kyle Davies, will be on a bus to Richmond tonight. He had a nice spring (2-0, 2.84 ERA, 19 IP, 14 H, 9 BB, 11 K), but apparently the Braves feel that he will benefit from some time in the minors. His 2006 #s (3-7, 8.38 ERA, 63.3 IP, 90 H, 33 BB, 51 K) would certainly support the decision.

The right side of the infield is going to be scary for the Bravos. Watch out.

Orr Making Strong Case

Complements of David O'Brien, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 26, 2007

ORR MAKING STRONG CASE

Infielder Willy Aybar probably will start the season on the disabled list with a sore hand, and Pete Orr is making a strong push for the would-be job opening.

Orr is hitting .371 with two doubles and a .434 on-base percentage.

"Pete's had a nice little spring," Cox said.

Orr has spent two seasons with the Braves, batting .300 as a rookie before slipping to .253 in 2006. He hit .291 after the All-Star break but .213 before, and Orr feared that half-season might get him ticketed for Richmond this year.

He could have a reprieve because of Aybar's situation. Versatile rookie Martin Prado has had a good spring (.368, five doubles), but Cox is known for being loyal to his guys, and Orr has proven himself at the major-league level.

"I still don't know what the [heck's] happening," Orr said. "I don't if they know, of if they know and aren't saying. It is hard, though. I ain't going to lie. You come in, do what you can do, and it's totally out of your hands.

"That's the hardest part. I was talking to Chipper and he said, 'Don't worry, don't worry.' But I've got to find a place for my wife and me to live."

-----

This would change the roster in the previous post....

22. Johnson (2B)
23. Prado (2B/3B)
24. Chris Woodward (2B/3B/1B.....)
25. Pete Orr (2B/3B)

Narrowing it Down to 25

Alright, so let's figure this thing out. Here is what I'm looking at for the Braves roster come Opening Day (April 2nd @Philadelphia at 1:05 PM).

1. Smoltz (SP)
2. Hudson (SP)
3. James (SP)
4. Davies (SP)
5. Redman (SP)
6. Cormier (RP)
7. McBride (RP)
8. Gonzalez (RP)
9. Villareal (RP)
10. Yates (RP)
11. Soriano (RP)
12. Wickman (RP)
13. McCann (C)
14. Pena (C)
15. A. Jones (OF)
16. Francoeur (OF)
17. Langerhans (OF)
18. Diaz (OF/1B)
19. C. Jones (3B)
20. Renteria (SS)
21. Thorman (1B/OF)
22. Aybar (2B/3B)
23. Johnson (2B)
24. Prado (2B/3B)
25. ????????

So that is what it looks like today...the first 24.

It looks like my man Pete Orr is on the bubble for that 25th spot. Chris Woodward, signed in the offseason to a one year deal, has had only 14 AB this spring due to injury. Pete Orr, the underdog as usual, has battled this spring to stay on the club - he is hitting over .380.

The Macon Telegraph wrote about the race for infield positions on Tuesday, March 20.

I don't know what the next week will bring. I'm pulling for Pete, of course, but I don't know what will happen.

Braves Winter FanFest

Good stuff this weekend - of course it's freezing rain today, so who knows if it will go down.

At The Ted, the Braves will be having their Annual Winter FanFest from 10 AM to 5 PM. Fans can run the bases, take some fly balls, and get autographs.

Lotsa players are going to be there: Chipper Jones, Tim Hudson, Jeff Francoeur, Edgar Renteria, Brian McCann, Chuck James, Kyle Davies, Mike Gonzalez, Chris Woodward, Blaine Boyer, Macay McBride, Lance Cormier, Kelly Johnson, Scott Thorman, Chad Paronto, Anthony Lerew, Joey Devine, and some of the coaching staff. And, of course, Pete Orr will be there.

Canadian Player Wins AL MVP

I've got to think that "anybody but a Yankee," came into affect when the votes were cast for the American League MVP Award. Minnesota Twin 1B Justin Morneau took home the prize over Derek Jeter.

Let's break it down.

Hits: Jeter 214, Morneau 190
Batting Avg: Jeter .343, Morneau .321
Doubles: Jeter 39, Morneau 37
Homers: Morneau 34, Jeter 14
RBI: Morneau 130, Jeter 97
Runs: Jeter 118, Morneau 97
On Base %: Jeter .417, Morneau .375
Stolen Bases: Jeter 34, Morneau 3

I don't get it. I don't like the Yankees, but man, what is not to like about Jeter. He's the man. I'll take his stick and his glove any day. Jeter should have won it.

Yes, Pete Orr is Canadian, but since he plays in the National League, he was not eligible for the AL Most Valuable Player Award.

Why I'm Glad the Braves Missed the Post Season...

Joe Morgan. I can't stand listening to him. I don't understand how anyone can. All he wants to do is talk about himself and what a great player he was. He finds a way to turn every comment by Jon Miller into a story about himself. I can't stand Joe Morgan. I just turned off the Pads/Cards game because I couldn't take it anymore.

The Braves lost a few coaches this week - big turnover for the coaches. I guess the Braves are like every other team now, don't win, then change everything. (kidding...kinda)

Pat Corrales departure is weird. The initial reports were that he was "out" by mutual agreement, but now I'm seeing that he "retired." I guess it doesn't really matter, but I just find it strange because he seemed to be Bobby's "right hand."

My predictions for the off-season:

1. Marcus Giles will be traded. I hate this. I like Giles. The Braves will get some good middle relievers in exchange, so I'll soon be able to get over losing a player of Giles caliber.
2. Andruw Jones will remain a Braves...at least for another year. He's gona get over $13 million next season. I don't see another team that has the ability to take that salary and have the ability to give up any talent in exchange. There are teams that can do one or the other, but not both. Jones won't be a Brave in 2008 (thanks Scott Boras).
3. Pete Orr will get resigned. He will not be the everyday second baseman in '07, however. Bummer.

It's Over

I've had to take a deep swig of reality over the past week. The Braves will not make the post season this year. I remember when i moved to Atlanta in August 1990. My dad took me to a Braves game - the place was so empty that we could hear the 3rd base coach yelling at the runner on 2nd from our seats in center field. A year later it all changed - I attended my first post season baseball game...NLCS and World Series.

The Bravos are sitting at 6 games back in the Wild Card (back in '91 there was no such thing as a Wild Card).

There are a lot of wouldas, shouldas, couldas....all the one run losses, bullpen, injuries, blah, blah, blah. The fact is there are many more team in MLB that are better than the Braves - shoot, there are three just in the NL East. The Mets are L O A D E D. The Phils and Marlins don't suck either.

Last year I bought the Post Season ticket package with the thought that I better take advantage of playoff baseball while I can. The Braves lost in the Divisional Series -- but my wife and I got to see Smoltz vs. Clemens, so that was nice...plus I got all the money back for the unused NLCS and WS games.

Here's the deal. The Braves will be better next year. Schuerholz will secure a closer - might even be Wickman. He'll add some depth to the bullpen. He'll trade a player for a player I don't know as well. I'll question him (as I did with Damion Moss, George Lombard, Tim Spooneybarger, Denny Neagle, Mark Wohlers, and countless others), then three weeks later I won't even remember the player that we sent off for the guy that's hitting .310 for us now. The guy doesn't make mistakes. Some young player will come into his own and make me wonder how we ever played without him.

I'll think back to the days of Otis, Lonnie, Sid, TP, Justice, Javy, Greg, Tom, Denny, Kerry, Rocker (!), Blauser, Treakway, Lemke, Wohlers, Merker, Olson, Stanton, Berryhill, Gant, Remlinger, Francisco, Jerry Williard, Julio Franco, Matt Franco, Bako, Blanco, and DeRosa and smile.

There's always next year.

O Fur

Bravos bats were silenced by 36 year old Pedro Astacio - Previously 4-16 lifetime vs. ATL. Astacio, once a promising young pitcher with the Dodgers and Rockies looked like a Cy Young canidate last night as the Nationals blanked the Braves 5-0. Pedro's line: 9IP, 2H, 0R, 0BB, 5K; 89 pitches.

Braves starter Lance Cormier, pitching in his first big league game since July 1, lasted 4.1 innings.

In follow up to his 3-5 (a homer away from the cycle) performance on Saturday (8/12), Pete Orr went 0-2 after coming into the game in the 6th as a pinch hitter. He stayed in the game to play a few innings of perfect defense at 2B.

Orr Perfect in the Field

Pete Orr's error free season continued with a spotless ninth inning at 3rd base. Smoltzy looked amazing going the complete 9 innings for his 10th win of the year. (9IP, 5H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 8K).

The victory puts the braves 15 games back in the division and 5 back in the Wild Card hunt.

Bullpen 101

Nothing new about John Smoltz having a good solid outing (7IP, 6H, 1R, 1ER, 0BB, 6K), but the breaking news is that the bullpen was able to hold his lead upon his departure.

The two new additions to the 'pen - Danys Baez and Bob Wickman shut down the Pirates to close out the Braves win ---- ending a 4 game skid.

Pete Orr pinch hit for Smoltz in the top of the 8th. He flew out to drop his average to .191. New Brave Willy Aybar appears to be the everyday man at the hot corner while Chipper is on the shelf.

Pete Orr Highlighted in SI

What else would an Orr from Ontario wear? Pete's not related to Bobby, the Bruins great, but has worn the number since youth hockey. "My teammates always wanted me to wear number 4," says Pete, whose dad often showed him film of Bobby Orr and whose middle name, like Bobby's, is Gordon. Bobby finds Pete's imitation flattering -- "I'm honored if I had a positive influence on someone," he has said. Pete, meanwhile, says he got his 4 before asking for it. "The Braves said they gave it to me because it was the lowest number available, that it had nothing to do with [Bobby]."

"Back Stories: Me and My Number." Sports Illustrated July 24, 2006
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/players/07/18/numbers0724/
Photograph: Christopher Gooley/US PRESSWIRE

Bravos Win Despite Bullpen

Despite the bullpen's best effort to blow another lead, the Braves pulled out a 10-8 win over the Phils last night. Hudson looked very tired going 5.2 innings to pick up his 8th win of the season. Ray and Yates gave up 4 runs (2 each) in the 7th and 8th innings. Bob Wickman worked a scoreless 9th for the save.

Oh, don't you dare think I forgot that Pete Orr hustled out a double (his first 2 bagger of the season) in the 7th to ignite a 2 run inning.

Wickman Debut

A nice scoreless inning for the Bravos new Closer, Bob Wickman. Maybe the rest of the bullpen could fall into place as a result of this move. The Braves are 5 games out of the Wild Card at the moment.

Pete Orr's batting average fell below the mendoza line after he grounded out in the 8th last night.

Orr Hitless Streak Extends to 8

Meanwhile the Atlanta Braves are continuing their Offensive rebirth. 18 hits last night - 14 of them were off former Bravo Jason Marquis - Marquis line last night 5.0 IP, 14 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 2 BB, 4 K. UGLY.

Pete Orr pinch hit in the 9th, then played the bottom half of the inning at second base...extending his error free season (101 innings played).

Hudson picked up the win. He looked good until 6th. Could have been the short rest. The 'pen held the Cards in check for the balance of the game - the combo of Villareal, Yates, and Moylan gave up 3 hits, a walk, and Ked 2 over the last 3.1 innings.

The Braves gained a game in the Wild Card standings....trailing the Redlegs by 4. Still 11.5 back in the NL East.

Craziness

The Braves have scored 51 runs in the past 4 games (on 63 hits!). No need to worry about pitching when you score that many....except for Thursday when the Braves narrowly beat the Padres 15-12 in the series opener (and first game back since the 4 day All Star break). If memory serves, I think the Braves got a 4 day break last year as well.

Pete Orr has not contributed any hits, RBI, or runs to this streak. His last hit was on July 1. The last time he scored, or drove in a run, was on his solo homer vs. the Nats on June 7.

The Braves are "o so close" to .500. Sitting at 44-49 (in second place in the NL East) and 11.5 games back from the Metropolitans - better yet, the Braves are 5 games back from the Redlegs in the Wild Card chase.

Pete Orr Snubbed for All Star Team

It really bothers me that the AL keeps beating the NL in the All Star games - the NL has not won in a decade now.

I wanted to figure out why this was - besides the fact that Pete Orr never gets in the game.

Thanks to the data provided at http://www.onestopbaseball.com/TeamPayroll.asp, I'm able to deduct why the AL keeps beating the NL.

1. The top 4 major league team payrolls are all American League teams.
2. The AL total payroll is $1.169 billion (14 teams). The average team payroll in the AL is $83.5 million.
3. The NL total payroll is $1.158 billion (16 teams). The average team payroll in the NL is $72.4 million.
4. Major League baseball requires that each team have at least one representative on the All Star roster. The AL has to fill 32 roster spots from 14 teams; the NL has to fill 32 roster spots from 16 teams.

Assuming that better players get paid more money, then the AL keeps winning the All Star game because they have better players. Go figure.

I just don't get it

Ramirez got knocked around last night like nothing I have seen in some time. Only accumulated an inning of work, but gave up 7 runs on 7 hits.

The bullpen, go figure, came in and pitched 8 great innings. They allowed only 2 earned runs - both of those given up by Villarreal in that painful 2nd inning. Kevin Barry pitched 4 amazing innings to keep his rookie season rolling right along.

I don't understand how the 'pen can pitch so well in a game that the Bravos are losing by 7, but couldn't hold a 5 run lead for Hudson on Thursday.

Pete Orr has not played since Wednesday.

Whuppin' Sticks

The Bravos beat up on the Cards last night -- 14-4. 5 runs in the first was nice. They played with a lead instead of having to play from behind....as they seem to ususally do.

Chucky James - you gotta love that name - hurled 6 innings and improved to 3-0 on the season. Three scoreless innnings from the pen was nice. Yates, McBride, and Paronto combined for 2 hits, a walk, and a K from the 7th through the 9th.

Pete Orr went 0-1, and got some quality time at second base. The Braves are out of the basement in the NL East. The Nats are 14 games back and the Bravos are 13.5.

Pete Orr Leads Braves to Win Over Yanks

A solid 8 innings from Horacio Ramirez helped the Braves beat the New York Yankees, and former Brave Jaret Wright. Wright has not panned out to be the pitcher the Yankees thought they had signed prior to the 2005 season. After going 15-8 with a 3.28 with Atlanta in 2004, Wright has posted a record of 9-10 and an ERA over 5.

Pete Orr went 1-4 thanks to his lead off single in the first. The win brings the Braves season record to 33-45 --- a tie for the basement in the NL East with the Nats.

What Bullpen Problems?

Wow...the Braves bullpen threw 9.1 innings last night allowing 6 hits, 1 run (earned), and striking out three. OK, the combination of Villarreal, Yates, McBride, Stockman, and Sosa walked 6, but Braves fans will take it.

Smoltz went down in the 2nd with a groin strain, but all reports say that he'll be OK and probably won't miss his next start. Pete Orr pinch ran for Brian McCann in the 9th, but didn't score.

The ballsy double steal (Francoeur & Betemit) might be the adrenaline shot that the Bravos need. We'll see when they take on Tampa Bay again tonight at 7:00 - Lance Cormier on the hill for Atlanta and Tim Corcoran throwing for the Rays.. The fact is, if the Braves can regain the form of a quality team, the Devil Rays are a team that they need to beat. The Rays are weak.